Even though this was a meaningless game, even though it hurt the Lions in the draft (they went from having the fifth pick in the draft to the eighth pick with the win), even though the Packers looked like they were sleepwalking and Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers went out with a concussion, the Lions found a way to win. And you have to give them credit for that. Or, maybe, scream at them, if you wanted them to tank.

Lions coach Matt Patricia was bouncing through the locker room, smiling and slapping backs and slugging shoulders. He gave a hug to Glover Quin. “I appreciate you,” Quin said.

And that is how this maddening, confusing, disappointing season came to an end for the Lions (6-10).

Nothing about this season went as expected.

You had to figure the Lions were going to stink on defense, and yet they seemed to improve every game before pitching a shutout Sunday for the first time since 1996. The defense was one of the few bright spots of this team.

And after the Lions put so many resources into their offense, drafting running back Kerryon Johnson and guard Frank Ragnow, you had to figure the Lions would have an effective, high-scoring offense — but instead it was dreadful.

Packers quarterback DeShone Kizer runs for a first down past Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs during the second half of the Lions' 31-0 win on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. Matt Ludtke, AP

Lions tight end Levine Toilolo reacts to his touchdown catch on a fake field goal in front of the Packers' Josh Jackson during the first half on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. Mike Roemer, AP

To fix this team, they have to fix the offense. They have to take it from dreadful to functional. And that starts with fixing quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Stafford threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, although his critics will point out it’s just a bunch of meaningless stats in a meaningless game.

Which isn’t wrong.

But he deserves some credit because he was throwing to a bunch of receivers he had barely practiced with.

“I was learning with them,” Stafford said. “Kind of figuring out who could do what. I’ve had some reps with them in practice. But not a lot. Those guys stepped up. Made some big plays…. I’m proud of them.”

A new coordinator could help

The Lions entered Sunday ranked near the bottom of the NFL in almost every offensive category: 26th in scoring, 24th in total yards, 26th in third-down conversions and 27th in yards per play.

Some of that can be attributed to widespread injuries.

But not all of it.

Stafford finished 15th among QBs in passing yards (3,511) and tied for 18th in touchdowns (19).

“Obviously, it’s disappointing,” Stafford said. “Every year, you want to be better. But every year is totally different. You see it, year in and year out.”

There has been speculation that offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will be fired. And if he isn’t, I’ll be stunned.

Assuming he is fired, whomever Patricia brings in will be his most important coaching decision in 2019. He has to find somebody who will utilize Stafford’s strengths.

Lions coach Matt Patricia calls a play in the third quarter of the Lions' 31-0 win on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.(Photo: Benny Sieu USA TODAY Sports)

We know Stafford can rack up yards — he had thrown for more than 4,200 yards in seven straight seasons, until this season. We know he can get this team into the end zone — he threw for 41 touchdowns when he was just 23 years old.

In 2011, Scott Linehan was the offensive coordinator and the Lions had the fourth-ranked offense in the league, running to a 10-6 record under Jim Schwartz. Yes, Stafford was throwing bombs to Calvin Johnson, who was just 26 at the time and caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns. But Linehan was fired when Schwartz was shown the door in 2013.

Then, the Lions went to Joe Lombardi, who tried to bring a New Orleans-style offense to Detroit, which was a disaster.

Do you remember why Lombardi was fired as offensive coordinator?

Stop me if any of this sounds familiar: The Lions were underachieving, Stafford was regressing and the offense was struggling to score points (fourth fewest in the league at that time).

So Caldwell fired Lombardi and promoted Cooter. Stafford had a connection with Cooter. But his numbers never have reached Linehan status. Some of that was because the line was so bad that Stafford was being pummeled. But there also was a major disconnect on offense this year. And a major digression.

“We will go back and look at a lot of different phases of the season – and things that were done well. And I think there are some things in there,” Patricia said. “And we’ll make sure we build on those. And then, we will keep cleaning up the things we need to work on.”

Stafford the key to success

Say what you will about Stafford, but he comes to play every day.

His toughness never has been questioned. He was out there on a cold, windy Sunday, playing in a meaningless game, with a roster depleted by injuries.

“I wanted to play,” he said. “That’s just how I am.”

Some hope Stafford will be traded. But it’s not going to happen anytime soon. Not with his hefty contract.

So for better or worse, he is in Detroit.

And if the Lions can find an offensive coordinator who can get Stafford back on track and surround him with the right talent — that's key — then there is some reason for hope for this team.

Kerryon Johnson showed he can be a special back, before he was injured. And Kenny Golladay has shown the potential to be an outstanding wide receiver, before he was injured.

The NFL is about offense now, and the Lions happen to have a guy who can score. Stafford is at his best when he’s slinging the ball all over the field, when he’s playing carefree.

The offensive coordinator next season needs to use Stafford’s strengths, not confine them.

I don’t think Stafford ever will lead this team to the Super Bowl. Shoot, he hasn't even won a playoff game.